Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A switching device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of communication ports connectable to cables for Ethernet communication; a circuit operated by using power supplied via each of the communication ports; an acquisition unit that acquires a measurement result for noise in power supplied via each of the communication ports, and a determination unit that performs determination processing for determining whether or not power to be supplied via a corresponding one of the communication ports is to be output to the circuit, based on the measurement result for noise acquired by the acquisition unit.
This invention relates to a switching device for vehicles that manages power distribution and noise suppression in Ethernet communication systems. The device addresses the problem of power quality degradation in vehicle networks, where noise in power supplied via Ethernet cables can disrupt communication and damage connected circuits. The switching device includes multiple communication ports for connecting Ethernet cables, a circuit that operates using power supplied through these ports, and an acquisition unit that measures noise levels in the power supplied via each port. A determination unit evaluates the noise measurements and decides whether to allow power from a given port to be supplied to the circuit, ensuring stable operation by filtering out noisy power sources. The device prevents circuit damage and communication errors by dynamically assessing power quality and selectively enabling or disabling power distribution based on noise thresholds. This solution is particularly useful in automotive environments where multiple Ethernet-connected devices share power lines, and noise interference is a common issue. The invention enhances reliability in vehicle networks by integrating power management with noise monitoring in a single switching device.
2. The switching device according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit that holds correspondences between a plurality of temperatures of the switching device and determination criteria in the determination processing as to the noise, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires a temperature of the switching device of itself and acquires the correspondences from the storage unit, and the determination unit performs the determination processing further based on the temperature and the correspondences that are acquired by the acquisition unit.
A switching device includes a noise detection system that monitors electrical noise in a power supply circuit to prevent malfunctions. The device detects noise by acquiring electrical signals from the power supply circuit and determining whether the noise exceeds a predefined threshold. To improve accuracy, the device further includes a storage unit that stores correspondences between multiple operating temperatures of the device and specific noise determination criteria. The device measures its own temperature and retrieves the corresponding noise criteria from the storage unit. The determination of whether noise is excessive is then adjusted based on the current temperature and the stored criteria, ensuring reliable operation across different thermal conditions. This adaptive approach accounts for temperature-dependent variations in noise sensitivity, enhancing the device's robustness in varying environments. The system ensures that noise thresholds are dynamically adjusted to prevent false positives or negatives, maintaining stable power supply performance.
3. The switching device according to claim 2 , wherein the storage unit holds the correspondences for each of the communication ports.
A switching device is designed to manage data traffic in a network by routing data packets between multiple communication ports. The device includes a storage unit that maintains correspondences between specific communication ports and their associated data routing rules. These correspondences ensure that data packets are directed to the correct destination ports based on predefined criteria, such as source addresses, destination addresses, or other packet attributes. The storage unit dynamically updates these correspondences to adapt to changing network conditions or traffic patterns, improving efficiency and reducing latency. By storing port-specific correspondences, the device optimizes data flow and minimizes errors in packet routing. This approach enhances network performance by ensuring accurate and timely delivery of data across the network infrastructure. The switching device may also include additional features, such as traffic monitoring and load balancing, to further improve network reliability and throughput. The storage unit's ability to manage port-specific correspondences allows the device to handle complex routing scenarios while maintaining high-speed data transmission.
4. The switching device according to claim 1 , wherein the switching device further comprises a measurement unit that measures reception signal quality for each of the communication ports, and the determination unit performs the determination processing further based on the reception signal quality measured by the measurement unit.
A switching device operates in a network environment where multiple communication ports are used to transmit and receive data. The device includes a determination unit that selects an optimal communication port for data transmission based on predefined criteria. To enhance this selection process, the device further includes a measurement unit that evaluates the reception signal quality for each available communication port. The determination unit then uses this measured signal quality as an additional factor in its decision-making process, ensuring that the chosen communication port provides the best possible signal strength and reliability. This improves overall network performance by dynamically adapting to varying signal conditions and selecting the most suitable communication path. The measurement unit continuously monitors signal quality, allowing the determination unit to make real-time adjustments as needed. This approach is particularly useful in environments with fluctuating signal strengths or interference, where static port selection would be less effective. By integrating signal quality measurements into the port selection process, the device ensures more reliable and efficient data transmission.
5. The switching device according to claim 4 , wherein the acquisition unit further acquires a measurement result for power supply voltage received via each of the communication ports, the determination unit judges a level of the noise and quality of the reception signal based on the measurement result for noise acquired by the acquisition unit and a measurement result for reception signal quality by the measurement unit, and performs the determination processing based on the measurement result for power supply voltage acquired by the acquisition unit and a measurement result for a signal voltage received via the communication port by the measurement unit if a judgement result for noise and a judgement result for reception signal quality are different from each other.
A switching device is designed to manage communication and power supply in network systems, addressing issues related to signal integrity and power stability. The device includes multiple communication ports for data transmission and power supply. An acquisition unit collects measurement data, including power supply voltage levels received via each communication port. A measurement unit assesses reception signal quality and noise levels. The determination unit evaluates the noise and signal quality based on the acquired data. If the noise and signal quality assessments differ, the determination unit further analyzes the power supply voltage and signal voltage measurements to resolve discrepancies. This ensures reliable communication by cross-verifying signal integrity and power conditions, preventing errors caused by inconsistent measurements. The device dynamically adjusts operations based on real-time data, enhancing system robustness in environments with varying electrical and signal conditions. The solution is particularly useful in networks where power and data are transmitted over the same lines, requiring precise monitoring to maintain performance.
6. The switching device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the measurement result for noise in power from a supply source of the power.
A switching device is designed to manage power distribution in electrical systems, particularly addressing issues related to noise and interference in power supply lines. The device includes an acquisition unit that measures noise levels in the power supplied by a power source. This measurement helps monitor and mitigate electrical noise, which can degrade system performance, cause malfunctions, or reduce efficiency in sensitive electronic equipment. The acquisition unit collects data on power noise, allowing the switching device to adjust its operations to minimize disruptions. By continuously monitoring noise levels, the device can implement corrective actions, such as filtering or dynamic power adjustments, to ensure stable and clean power delivery. This feature is critical in applications where power quality directly impacts system reliability, such as in industrial automation, telecommunications, or medical devices. The switching device thus enhances power integrity by actively detecting and responding to noise in the supply source, improving overall system robustness and performance.
7. A determination method for a switching device mounted on a vehicle, the switching device including a plurality of communication ports connectable to cables for Ethernet communication and a circuit operated by using power supplied via each of the communication ports, comprising: acquiring a measurement result for noise in power supplied via each of the communication ports; and determining whether or not power supplied via corresponding one of the communication ports is to be output to the circuit, based on the acquired measurement result for noise.
This invention relates to a method for determining power supply to a switching device in a vehicle, addressing the challenge of ensuring stable power delivery in Ethernet communication systems where power is supplied through communication ports. The switching device includes multiple communication ports that can connect to Ethernet cables and a circuit that operates using power supplied via these ports. The method involves measuring noise levels in the power supplied through each communication port and then deciding whether to output that power to the circuit based on the noise measurement results. This ensures that only power with acceptable noise levels is used, preventing potential disruptions or damage to the circuit. The solution is particularly relevant for automotive applications where reliable power distribution is critical for communication systems. By dynamically assessing power quality, the method enhances system robustness and efficiency in vehicle networks.
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November 3, 2020
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